Irrfan Khan popularly known as Irrfan in film industry is an Indian National Award winning actor who appears in film, television, and theatre. He has also acted in many international projects. Khan is perhaps India’s best known international actor due to the critical acclaim he has received for his roles in Hollywood films. He is alumnus of National School of Drama (NSD) in New Delhi.
In India, Khan gained the reputation of a skilled actor from his roles in movies such as The Warrior, Maqbool, and Paan Singh Tomar. In 2012 he appeared in the lead role in Paan Singh Tomar. Both the movie and Khan’s performance received critical acclaim. Khan’s English-language mainstream work includes character roles in movies like The Namesake, New York, Slumdog Millionaire, The Amazing Spider-Man, and Life of Pi.
Irrfan Khan has won three Filmfare Awards, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and an Independent Spirit Award nomination. He is also the recipient of 2011 Padma Shri award, the fourth highest civilian award in India. He has garnered the National Film Award for Best Actor in the 60th National Film Awards 2012, for his performance in Paan Singh Tomar.
In an interview with Kashmir Scenario, Irrfan Khan talks to Kaiser A. Mir
Do you think that Indian cinema is depicting the true face of Kashmir?
To be honest I think people of Kashmir should forget Indian Cinema as medium to depict their crises. You should stand of your own. Why be dependent if you are expecting some aid then nobody is going to help. If God has given you that much talent then you should take responsibility on your own shoulders
Even if movies showing real picture of Kashmir are made, do you think government of India will allow such freedom of expression, especially in context of Kashmir crises?
Well as I said earlier that you should not expect any mercy from any side, if you think like this that India will not allow then you can`t do anything. You have to strive and discover such means that you would be able to express yourself. Take for example Shakespeare, how he would criticise King in his court. You must bear in mind that in the world of art you have to be very creative and think beyond boundaries and restrictions.
Why oscar is still a dream for bollywood?
Well I think it is better to say Indian cinema rather than bollywood because this term sounds weird. I think we lack originality in our films, the language for example we borrow it from outside even the models are from America etc. Today our film industry lack quality script writers, this is a big worry for us.
Here we have general kind of film making we have not gone to Intricacy of nuances.Our film industry is not up to mark, look at Iran, despite the fact that they are going under huge crises, see how they are able to shine in the world of art and film making.
Why movies like Paan Singh Tomar or Swadesh are not much popular as compare to action thriller or romantic movies?
No, I do not agree with you Paaan Singh Tomaar is a very popular film, it has won many awards, both national as well as international awards.
But when there was a battle between Paan Singh Tomaar and Barfi, Barfi won it?
I think as journalist you should know answer to this question, all of us know here that we have a bureaucratic system here and rest you I hope you understand.
What is the main social responsibility of film industry?
Film industry is for entertainment; it should engage people and take them to a world that is not ordinary life. Show them aspects of life give those aspirations, values, show them aspects of life and show how a story can display life.
Do you see connection between Kashmir and Indian cinema is returning back to its original glory?
No, I do not see any revival, even no attempt towards that. Though coming here and doing shooting is good and indirectly it may help because people will feel good about Kashmir.
Your Message
I would like to tell youth that they must engage themselves with sports and cultural activities. TV should not be the sole medium of entertainment for them, because ultimately it leads to a sub-conscious state.
What change would you like to see, in Kashmir when you visit next time?
What change I would like, let flowers bloom and people stay happy. People should be able to express themselves they should not get into slumber. They should wake up, it is not about Kashmiri people, and people across world must ponder where this world is going. I give you example, my teacher who was doing theatre had felt that theatre is not able to do that much help to people as compare to local handicraft. So, he thought of making a cooperative of handicraft. Recently I had interaction with him and he told me that almost nobody is interested in handicrafts among the next generation. All this is done by powerful people. They want to push world to urbanization and make it standardised because then it is easy to target. They want to take away your social skills so you become dependent on them.